DAK 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones'-themed experiences at Animal Kingdom

[Chi84]

Obviously it’s too late to change this. But we can try to raise awareness and attempt to sway public opinion that, yes, maybe Disney should be respecting the legacy and purpose of their parks instead of appeasing shareholders.

Ever since Disney got on this IP onslaught of “More TiMeLeSs. More DISNEY” there has been a coordinated effort from them to convince the public that the parks were always like this and that parks having unique themes and meanings doesn’t matter. Many have fallen for it and repeat tired, false talking points like “attractions with IP that kids don’t recognize need to go”. But the discourse has started to shift. For instance I fully expected everyone to eat up Better Zoogether, instead it has been almost universally panned by everyone but the most mindless of Disney Adults.

I think there is a very large community of Disney parks fans and a much smaller subset of theme park fans.

It isn’t that people in the larger community don’t know or understand that the parks are changing to incorporate more IP. It’s that they don’t care as much as the theme park fans or the generations that grew up alongside Disney.

I would like to see less IP in the parks but my grandkids loved seeing Olaf at Blizzard Beach.

It’s unlikely that there will be enough public outcry against IP to change the company’s direction, although a new CEO may decide to honor the company’s roots in that regard.

I wouldn’t read anything into the reception for Better Zoogether. From what I’ve read it’s just a bad show.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Whenever people try to silence it

You're posting your opinion non-stop. How is that silenc...

Oh, you think people disagreeing with you is censorship.

Sad.

if I and those who agree with me can snap even a few people out of the Disney Adult mindset,

You're posting on a Disney fan forum. The Disney Adult is you.

 

[gorillaball]

I can’t control what others say on a message board so I guess I should never check it? Haha

Checking and letting it impact you are two different things.

But, point taken. Is someone ranting about something on a message board bothersome to me - little bit.

I promise I won’t let it occupy my head space in another 2 days, let alone 2 years.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Anyways, I can't wait for Tropical Americas. I think it is interesting though that the area is supposed to open up in a year and we don't have a confirmation of the ride system or story of the ride officially from Disney yet. I'm wondering if they are going to wait fully for D23 (since I imagine they don't have much new stuff to announce)

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

You keep changing what I said -

“Free range with the same budget” was the question. Do you think we would get something better and more on-theme with the park?

My bad, I really think I misunderstood. Then, no. Full creatively I don't think this would have been his first choice.

 

[Bocabear]

Anyways, I can't wait for Tropical Americas. I think it is interesting though that the area is supposed to open up in a year and we don't have a confirmation of the ride system or story of the ride officially from Disney yet. I'm wondering if they are going to wait fully for D23 (since I imagine they don't have much new stuff to announce)

Is it really supposed to open in a year? Seems like most other attractions take multiple years even after the steel appears....

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Is it really supposed to open in a year? Seems like most other attractions take multiple years even after the steel appears....

Everything said 2027 still. They haven't updated anything about it yet. Its possible we get 1 year and a half or so but still

 

[Tom Morrow]

To me this is much preferable to going back to the model of allowing an outside company (whose "world" you did not pay to enter) drastically alter imagineer plans and concepts to suit their corporate needs. Rides whose pre and post shows are not world building scenes, but advertisements.

This has never really a thing outside of some early Disneyland (which yes in retrospect was weird) and original Epcot, which was originally modeled after the world’s fair concept. This does not represent the vast majority of attractions throughout WDW’s history.

And yes, I believe these are now the only two choices. Projects are too expensive and risky. It is not unreasonable for Disney to seek synergy within itself.

I get it - the modern corporation cares most about bulletpoints on shareholder presentations, but it sucks when the company was originally doing truly inspirational and bold things with their parks because they understood that just doing cool things would wow people and get them to come back. That’s why so many of us older posters came to this forum long ago. We were inspired by the place, not just how much “Disney” it threw at us.

One thing regarding their approach is that while there is clearly an IP mandate, it allows great flexibility for original concepts within that restriction. I think both "Star Tours" and "Temple of the Forbidden Eye" laid down the new standard by introducing IP attractions that are not a third-person retelling, but a new first-person narrative. These are our adventures within that world. Imagineers are able to create their own scenarios, places, characters, etc. Sadly, it is often these imagineer created aspects that are the most derided.

Agreed that most of the time, a new adventure within the world of the IP is the way to go.

You're posting your opinion non-stop. How is that silenc...

Oh, you think people disagreeing with you is censorship.

No, I think some on this forum shouldn’t try and shut down anyone not embracing the IP flood.

You're posting on a Disney fan forum. The Disney Adult is you.

Welllllll no, I had a whole thread on this, and there’s a great video by Poseidon Entertainment that talks about this as well. Liking Disney’s theme parks because you like theme parks does not automatically make you a Disney Adult. The priorities of a person who is there because they like theme parks and a person who is there because they like Disney are quite different, even if there is some overlap.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Is it really supposed to open in a year?

I’m guessing the target is holidays of 2027 so that’s “next year” but 19-20 months away.

 

[Tha Realest]

It's like when Ian Malcom complained about how many dinosaurs there were on the dinosaur tour. Not nearly enough domestic cats.

The IP mandate came along with the massive expansion of what the Disney brand now contains. Between Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, Nat-Geo, the Muppets, Twentieth Century, Etc, they've got all their bases covered.

They’re substantially locked out of using most of Marvel at their biggest theme park and have really face-planted when they have no such geographic restrictions (Paris and DCA, so far). Star Wars is being substantially reimagined about six years into its life cycle, and their boundless array of IPs are so plentiful they had to go out and license the theme park rights to Bluey.

 

[Webbinator]

'Indiana Jones' is a great choice, but 'Encanto' is a horrible a choice. It would have made a lot more sense to do the animated masterpiece 'Coco'. 'Coco' is so much better and literally grossed 4 times better profits at the box office.

 

[Chi84]

'Coco' is so much better and literally grossed 4 times better profits at the box office.

Well Encanto was released in November 2021.

 

[Chi84]

Welllllll no, I had a whole thread on this, and there’s a great video by Poseidon Entertainment that talks about this as well. Liking Disney’s theme parks because you like theme parks does not automatically make you a Disney Adult. The priorities of a person who is there because they like theme parks and a person who is there because they like Disney are quite different, even if there is some overlap.

There’s no official definition of Disney Adult.

I don’t think it’s too far fetched to say someone posting on a Disney fan forum is a Disney Adult.

 

[Webbinator]

The release date doesn't impact the popularity of the movie or the profits.
'Coco' was released in 2017 and 'Encanto' in 2021. Box office profits showed how well each movie really did while each movie was aired in the theater. 'Coco' was significantly more popular in the global box office by grossing $807 million, while 'Encanto' only grossed a little over $256 million. For so many reasons it just doesn't make sense to theme an area with a movie that was significantly less successful and less admired animated film. 'COCO' would have been a much better choice.

 

[Movielover]

The release date doesn't impact the popularity of the movie or the profits.
'Coco' was released in 2017 and 'Encanto' in 2021. Box office profits showed how well each movie really did while each movie was aired in the theater. 'Coco' was significantly more popular in the global box office by grossing $807 million, while 'Encanto' only grossed a little over $256 million. For so many reasons it just doesn't make sense to theme an area with a movie that was significantly less successful and less admired animated film. 'COCO' would have been a much better choice.

You do remember what was happening in the world during November 2021, right?

 

[DisneyHead123]

The release date doesn't impact the popularity of the movie or the profits.
'Coco' was released in 2017 and 'Encanto' in 2021. Box office profits showed how well each movie really did while each movie was aired in the theater. 'Coco' was significantly more popular in the global box office by grossing $807 million, while 'Encanto' only grossed a little over $256 million. For so many reasons it just doesn't make sense to theme an area with a movie that was significantly less successful and less admired animated film. 'COCO' would have been a much better choice.

Encanto was a Covid baby though. Disney may be looking at merch sales and streaming minutes (although CoCo must be popular by those metrics as well as it’s been a serious contender for an attraction).

 

[Webbinator]

You do remember what was happening in the world during November 2021, right?

Obviously everyone remembers 2021.
Although that has to be considered, but Encanto's box office was significantly lower than Coco's global hit, making it very difficult to bridge that gap solely through COVID-19 factors.
Even if you took away Covid. It still wouldn't have mattered. 'Coco' was recongized to as the better animated film and generally received more awards.
Both are highly acclaimed, but Coco is more frequently cited as the superior film for its emotionally resonant story while Encanto is praised for its catchy music and vibrant animation. Coco often wins for its emotional depth and cultural impact, whereas Encanto is favored for its musical, fast-paced nature.

 

[Movielover]

Obviously everyone remembers 2021.
Although that has to be considered, but Encanto's box office was significantly lower than Coco's global hit, making it very difficult to bridge that gap solely through COVID-19 factors.
Even if you took away Covid. It still wouldn't have mattered. 'Coco' was recongized to as the better animated film and generally received more awards.
Both are highly acclaimed, but Coco is more frequently cited as the superior film for its emotionally resonant story while Encanto is praised for its catchy music and vibrant animation. Coco often wins for its emotional depth and cultural impact, whereas Encanto is favored for its musical, fast-paced nature.

Ok... and? Encanto was heavily impacted by the pandemic, all movies at the time were.

I just don't get why you are pushing this hard like this. Coco is getting an attraction in DCA and I'm sure they will clone it at some point over here. I'm sorry you don't like Encanto but it fits better in that spot in Animal Kingdom than Coco would. Coco would be an amazing fit in Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Magic Kingdom, but I don't think it would fit well in Animal Kingdom next to Indiana Jones.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

This has never really a thing outside of some early Disneyland (which yes in retrospect was weird) and original Epcot, which was originally modeled after the world’s fair concept. This does not represent the vast majority of attractions throughout WDW’s history.


I get it - the modern corporation cares most about bulletpoints on shareholder presentations, but it sucks when the company was originally doing truly inspirational and bold things with their parks because they understood that just doing cool things would wow people and get them to come back. That’s why so many of us older posters came to this forum long ago. We were inspired by the place, not just how much “Disney” it threw at us.



Agreed that most of the time, a new adventure within the world of the IP is the way to go.


No, I think some on this forum shouldn’t try and shut down anyone not embracing the IP flood.


Welllllll no, I had a whole thread on this, and there’s a great video by Poseidon Entertainment that talks about this as well. Liking Disney’s theme parks because you like theme parks does not automatically make you a Disney Adult. The priorities of a person who is there because they like theme parks and a person who is there because they like Disney are quite different, even if there is some overlap.

Don't act higher and mighter than people just because you don't want to be under a certain label. You've been a regular on a Walt Disney fan forum after being here longer than I've been alive man. Your username is a Disney Parks references to a more "obscure" ride of the fandom. You're here debating the "new wave" of Disney Fans because they don't subscribe to your way thinking. You are a Disney Adult by almost everyone elses metrics. I also don't consider myself a Disney Adult because my life does not revolve around my appreciation for the work done at Disney but I think the general population would claim anyone who posts here frequently would be a Disney Adult, especially someone who's been here for 20+ years. That is not how the average random non-Disney park fan reacts.

 

[Chi84]

Obviously everyone remembers 2021.
Although that has to be considered, but Encanto's box office was significantly lower than Coco's global hit, making it very difficult to bridge that gap solely through COVID-19 factors.
Even if you took away Covid. It still wouldn't have mattered. 'Coco' was recongized to as the better animated film and generally received more awards.
Both are highly acclaimed, but Coco is more frequently cited as the superior film for its emotionally resonant story while Encanto is praised for its catchy music and vibrant animation. Coco often wins for its emotional depth and cultural impact, whereas Encanto is favored for its musical, fast-paced nature.

You forgot for a moment, didn’t you? That’s fine - people can make mistakes.

Movie theater attendance dropped dramatically in a way that could not but heavily impact box office profits.

Also, I believe Encanto was only in theaters for 30 days before it went to streaming on Disney +.